Premier League relegation battle: Nine teams separated by just six points

The fight to stay in the Premier League is hotting up, with nine clubs separated by just six points after another dramatic weekend.

Southampton, who started the weekend bottom, and Wolves were the big winners after victories over Leicester and Tottenham respectively.

But Bournemouth, Leeds, West Ham and Crystal Palace – along with Leicester – all lost. Meanwhile, Everton missed the chance to climb out of the bottom three after an entertaining 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest.

While Palace, who are 12th, have 27 points, bottom club Bournemouth have 21 – just six points fewer.

“It will go down to the wire, it is absolutely fascinating,” said former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison, who was at the Forest game for BBC Radio 5 Live.

“It’s a huge point for both Forest and Everton. They are both coming off the back of losses. A good point in the end, maybe better for Forest. But teams in and around them have lost.”

‘We showed we are up for this’ – Forest twice fight back against Everton

Forest boss Steve Cooper believes his players proved they are up for the fight to stay in the Premier League after twice coming from behind to draw with Everton.

“They gave everything and showed courage,” he added.

“Small steps and we’ll look no further than that. We have got to relish the challenges. It’s tough but we wouldn’t want it any other way. We showed we’re up for it.”

It was Everton’s first point away from home under Sean Dyche and the Toffees boss also concentrated on the positives despite twice failing to defend the lead.

“We are a work in progress,” said Dyche. “I feel the performances are getting better and stronger. It’s a great building block to carry on the journey with.”

‘We are fighting together’ – Saints and Wolves get precious wins

Southampton boss Ruben Selles believes his side are “still alive” as they climbed off the foot of the Premier League table with a vital victory over Leicester City.

“I think every point, every three points helps for us,” said Selles to the BBC’s Match of the Day after Southampton moved to within a point of a position of Premier League safety with their 1-0 win over Leicester.

“We are fighting together, playing together, doing things together. That’s the way to get out of relegation,” he added.

Southampton’s win was just their second at home this season and ended a run of five straight losses at St Mary’s across all competitions.

There was also joy for Wolves who, thanks to an Adama Traore winner eight minutes from time, went up to 13th, five points off the bottom three, with a narrow victory over Tottenham.

“There are eight or nine teams fighting for the same thing,” said midfielder Ruben Neves after the match.

“We are not the worst when we lose a game and we are not the best when we win.”

‘We probably need 40 points’ – Leicester and West Ham in deep trouble

As Saints and Wolves rise, Leicester fall. Since the Premier League resumed after the World Cup, the Foxes have picked up just seven points from 10 matches.

“I don’t think right up until the mid-table are any teams thinking they’re safe,” Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers told BBC Match of the Day with his side two points clear of the drop zone.

Like Leicester, West Ham find themselves in difficulties, one points off the bottom three in 16th after a humiliating 4-0 defeat at Brighton on Saturday.

“If we’d won today it would’ve made us feel a lot easier,” said under-pressure Hammers manager David Moyes to MOTD.

“We’re probably all looking at around 40 points to stay away from the bottom of the league, but the only thing you can do is take each game as it comes.”

“It is sore. I’ll definitely take all the responsibility, because that’s what happens as a manager, but also players need to stand up and be counted. I’m sure they will. They are a good group.”

West Ham and Leicester finished seventh and eighth last season. This year, both their managers are facing tougher times with supporters showing their discontent.

MOTD host Gary Lineker said: “West Ham fans were singing [to Moyes] ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning’, how quickly things change in football.”

Pundit Danny Murphy replied: “I don’t think he [Moyes] should be [sacked]. I know they are disappointed. They are in a fight and he’s the right man.”

‘We are devastated’ – Bournemouth go bottom

Bournemouth slipped to 20th after a heartbreaking last-gasp 3-2 loss to leaders Arsenal on Saturday having lead 2-0 midway through the second half.

“We’re devastated that we suffered a late goal and deserved to take something,” said boss Gary O’Neil to BBC MOTD.

They were joined in defeat by Crystal Palace, who were dragged back into the scrap for survival following a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa. The Eagles are winless since New Year’s Eve.

“I’m not more worried than I was after the game against Liverpool [last weekend],” said manager Patrick Vieira. “It’s important for us to bounce back and start winning games. Of course it is tight and we have to keep working well and working hard.”

Palace stayed 12th, five points above the drop zone while relegation rivals Leeds remain 17th, after losing 1-0 away to out-of-form Chelsea.

“Now we are thinking about the next game with all the confidence we can and with the support of our fans,” Leeds boss Javi Gracia told BBC MOTD after his side’s 13th league defeat of the season.

“We know we are able to get points.”

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